{"h1":"What is Selective Mutism?","faq":[{"a":"No. Many children are shy yet still speak when needed. In selective mutism the child consistently cannot speak in specific situations despite wanting to, because of an anxiety-driven freeze response — and the same child usually talks freely at home.","q":"Is selective mutism just shyness?"},{"a":"Some children improve, but waiting can let the anxiety become more entrenched. Gentle, early support tends to work best. If the silence in specific settings lasts beyond the first month of school, a developmental review is wise.","q":"Will my child grow out of it on their own?"},{"a":"Not in itself — the child's ability to speak and understand language is intact, shown by their fluent talk in comfortable settings. It is an anxiety-based condition, though it can co-occur with speech or language difficulties, which is why a careful assessment helps.","q":"Is selective mutism a speech or language problem?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-selective-mutism","title":"What is Selective Mutism?","entity":{"key":"selective-mutism","kind":"condition","name":"Selective Mutism","slug":"selective-mutism"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Emotional","value":"emotional"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Special-Education","value":"special-education"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-selective-mutism","title":"Early Signs of Selective Mutism"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-selective-mutism-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Selective Mutism in Early Childhood?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-selective-mutism-in-a-6-year-old","title":"Early signs of Selective Mutism in a 6-year-old"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-selective-mutism-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Selective Mutism, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-selective-mutism-in-children","title":"What Causes Selective Mutism in Children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-selective-mutism-affect-a-child-s-communication-development","title":"How Selective Mutism Affects Communication Development"}],"summary":"Selective Mutism (ICD-11 6B06) is an anxiety-based condition in which a child who speaks comfortably in some settings — usually home — consistently does not speak in specific situations such as school, despite intact language ability. It is not defiance or a speech disorder. Features include freezing or whispering with unfamiliar adults, situation-bound silence lasting beyond a month, and interference with learning or social life — warranting gentle, early support rather than pressure.","answer_md":"*A child who chats freely at home but falls completely silent at school is not being defiant — this is the pattern selective mutism describes.*\n\n## In short\nSelective Mutism (ICD-11 **6B06**) is an anxiety-based condition in which a child who is fully able to speak — and does so comfortably in some settings, usually at home — consistently does not speak in specific social situations where speaking is expected, such as school or with unfamiliar adults. It is not stubbornness, a speech or language disorder, or a choice; it is a freeze-like anxiety response. The pattern must last at least a month (beyond the first month of school) and interfere with learning or social life to be clinically meaningful.\n\n## Signs to notice\nA child with selective mutism typically speaks normally and warmly at home with close family, yet may not utter a word at nursery, school or in shops. You might see them point, nod, whisper, or freeze with a blank or worried face when spoken to by a teacher. Many are observant, sensitive children who manage well once trusted relationships build slowly. It commonly appears between ages 2 and 5, but is often first noticed when a child starts school. Importantly, the silence is *situation-bound* — the very fact that the child speaks freely somewhere confirms the ability is intact, and the difficulty is the anxiety, not the language.\n\n## When to seek a review\nIf the silence in specific settings persists beyond the first month of starting school, or if it is limiting friendships, learning or daily routines, a developmental and emotional review is worthwhile. Early, gentle support works best — pressure to \"just speak\" tends to deepen the anxiety, whereas a calm, graded approach helps a child find their voice in their own time.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or a form. Our team blends gentle [behaviour and emotional support](/behavioural-therapy) with [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) where helpful, building a warm, low-pressure path on each child's [selective mutism](/selective-mutism) profile.\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 (mental and behavioural disorders, selective mutism); American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on childhood anxiety; ASHA resources on selective mutism and communication.\n\n**Next step —** Book a developmental and emotional review so we can understand where your child speaks freely and gently widen that circle.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Selective Mutism: What It Is (ICD-11 6B06)","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Never pressure the child to speak or reward speaking in front of others — instead reduce attention, allow nodding or pointing first, and let warmth and predictable routines build the trust from which a quiet voice slowly grows.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:54:00.24648+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-selective-mutism-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Selective Mutism in Early Childhood?","reason":"Linked from this 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friendships.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/","code":"6B06","label":"WHO ICD-11: Selective Mutism"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org/","label":"AAP HealthyChildren: childhood anxiety"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/","label":"ASHA: Selective Mutism resources"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:54:00.24648+00:00","meta_description":"Selective Mutism (ICD-11 6B06) is when a child who speaks at home stays silent at school due to anxiety. Learn the signs, meaning and when to seek support.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}